Following a season that saw them set new program records for goals, wins, and points, the UNBC Timberwolves men’s team now knows who they’ll be playing in the 2023 Canada West men’s soccer season.
The Timberwolves will open the season with a pair of games at Masich Place Stadium, welcoming the reigning Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds on August 25 and 27. Last season, UNBC earned a win and a draw in two games against the T-Birds.
The team’s first road games will be in Langley, taking on the Trinity Western Spartans on September 1-2 in Langley.
Steve Simonson’s team will welcome the reigning U SPORTS National champion Thompson Rivers University WolfPack on September 8 and 10.
Other notable games include the final home game of the season on October 15 against the University of Fraser Valley Cascades, and the season finale, on the road, on October 22 at the UBC Okanagan Heat.
The T-wolves welcome back a roster that includes Canada West Player of the Year, Michael Henman, who led the country in scoring in 2022 with 19 goals and 21 points. The fifth-year striker is joined by fellow conference All-Star Daniel Zadravec, Canada West All-Rookie member Hagon Kim, and veteran speedster Gregor Smith.
The young but experienced women Timberwolves open the campaign with a pair of home games; August 25 against the Trinity Western Spartans, and August 27 against the University of Fraser Valley Cascades.
Their first road games will be a visit to the Thompson Okanagan, taking on the Thompson Rivers WolfPack on September 8 in Kamloops, and the UBC Okanagan Heat the following day in Kelowna.
Four consecutive games against Eastern opponents will follow, taking on Manitoba, Winnipeg, Alberta, and MacEwan. They will also welcome the reigning Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds for a pair of games on October 6-7.
The final home game of the 14-game season will be against their rivals from TRU on October 15 at Masich Place.
Neil Sedgwick’s team graduates Canada West all-stars Paige Payne, Mara McCleary, and Kiana Swift, which should lead to increased roles and responsibilities for veterans like Claire Turner, Avery Nystedt, Sidney Elliott, and second-year standout Kambria Mellum.
